Weekly Winners

Its that time again for Weekly Winners. Be sure to go to Sarcastic Mom to check out more weekly winners.

Our little visitor

Joys of the garden hose.

Some pics from the Memorial Day parade last week.

Skywatch Friday

I'm always trying to avoid the electrical and phone wires when taking sky photos but I thought it added to the photo here.

Go to Skywatch Friday to see skies from all around the world.

N is for...

N is for nude.

Go to 4 the Love of Family to check out lots of other alphabitty moments. Preserving the everyday moments.

Wordless Wednesday

Do you think he enjoyed his cotton candy?

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

I Heart Faces-Silhouette

I wasn't going to enter this week since I haven't been outside when I could try to take silhouettes. I got inspired by a Conan O'Brien commercial and made Dave pose. He humors me.

Be sure to go to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all the other beautiful faces.

Grandparent Hangover

Headaches, upset stomach, and feeling generally yucky are all symptoms of an alcoholic hangover. What you ask is a grandparent hangover? A grandparent hangover results from grand kids spending time with loving but overstimulating and overindulgent grandparents. The grandparent hangover occurs when the kids return and they are overtired, overstimulated, overfed (mostly junk), and are generally unpleasant to be around. The grandparents don't fed the kids booze but they do fed them a ton of juice and dessert. If you could get high on sugar, they would be flying. The kids are not kept to their normal sleep schedules and have way more activity then they usually have. The grandparents want to do stuff with the kids, which is great but they need down time and naps too. My kids have a serious case of the grandparent hangover. They have been whining and crying pretty much constantly since they came home. These are my kids and I'm considering giving them Benadryl to just get them to sleep. I just want the noise to stop so that the bleeding from my ears will stop too.

The grandparents often supply free babysitting, sometimes they even watch the kids overnight. The kid free time is great but there is hell to pay when they return. I wish I could pick my daughter up right before bedtime to reduce the amount of torture I must endure before bedtime. The only thing that seems to cure the grandparent hangover much like the traditional hangover is sleep. Generally the kids wake up in good moods and the hangover is just a horrible memory.

Now don't get me wrong, I love the grandparents and I'm happy that my kids get to spend so much time with them. I also love the kid free time. I just wish I didn't have to have the hangover afterward. I guess just like booze there is a price to pay too.

Please tell me my kids are not the only ones who suffer from grandparent hangovers. Also what is ticking you off this Tuesday? Feel free to share in the comments or leave a link.

Not Me Monday

I did not get kicked in the nose when spotting a cartwheel on Thursday. I did not think it might be broken. It did not really hurt. I was not happy when it barely bruised and only swelled a little. I did not think I would get more sympathy if it had bruised more.

My in-laws took my daughter for an overnight adventure/babysitting on Saturday. I did not call my mother to casually tell this knowing she would want to have an overnight adventure with Caitlin too. I also did not think that she would offer to babysit Davey so Dave and I could go out. I would never think about ways to get free babysitting.

Honestly there are probably dozens of other things I normally would not admit to doing each week but I can't remember most of them. MckMama is our host at My Charming Kids . Go over there to see what other people remember not doing this week too.

Weekly Winners

I didn't take a lot of photos this week but I did visit a vocational and agricultural fair with my daughter's preschool. Here are a couple of photos I like.

I can't believe how old she looks. She is turning 4 this month.

Horse closeup.

The preschoolers were fascinated by the hay baling. I was too.

Don't forget to go to Sarcastic Mom for more weekly winners.

Just don't let him know...

A month ago Davey started chanting "potty" and pulling my finger to drag me to the bathroom. I obliged and sat him on the toilet. He amazed me and actually urinated. He then ran out of the bathroom naked and proceeded to pee on my living carpet. I had been through this with my daughter so I didn't get too excited. She too had peed on the potty before her second birthday but quickly lost interest. She didn't become potty trained till her second birthday. I didn't get my hopes up.

Over the next couple of days, Davey peed and even pooped on the potty several times. I started to get my hopes up a little. I wasn't sure if he was really ready to be potty trained. Should I put him in underpants? Should I keep him in diapers or pullups? I was not sure.

We had Davey's 2 year old well check up this week. I asked for the pediatrician's advice. She said it is common for kids to have an interest for about a month but if you push them too hard they totally stop wanting to use the toilet. She advised to keep taking him and encouraging him but don't let him know that I really want him to go all the time. So that is what we are doing right now. Shhh, don't tell him he is potty training!

The Parents Blogger Network along with The Potty Project are sponsoring this potty training blog blast.

Skywatch Friday

We have been enjoying pretty blue skies lately. I was enjoying the spring weather and looked up and saw this. If you click to enlarge you can see the small bird chasing the large bird (probably a hawk). The little guy was persistent and drove the large bird away.Go to Skywatch Friday to see skies from all around the world.

Wordless Wednesday

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Ticked Off Tuesday -Appointment and Attitude

I love my kids' pediatricians office. Well, I love everyone but the receptionists. It wouldn't be a Ticked Off Tuesday post if someone wasn't ticking me off, right?

In order to make appointments for well visits, I need to call the office between 2-3 months before the needed date. You have to keep calling back till they start booking dates. If you wait too long, you can't get in to see the doctor you prefer. Sometimes I can't even get in to see a doctor and have to a nurse. (I love the nurses but once a year I would like to see a doctor.) I know when the schedule can be made isn't the receptionists' fault but the fact that the receptionists make you feel like you are bugging them is their issue. I once called the wrong peds office (with a similar name) and knew immediately that I had the wrong office because they were way too cheerful and helpful. I really like the doctors and nurses at the practice but the receptionists' attitudes and the difficulty in getting an appointment is ticking me off and making me seriously consider switching practices.

Feel free to vent what is ticking you off this Tuesday or leave a link.

I Heart Faces-Best Face

It is a big week over at I Heart Faces. This week's assignment is to pick your best photo to enter for the Blurb book contest. I'm not sure if this is my best but it is one of my favorites. I love the softness of the shot and Caitlin's face.

Be sure to go to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all the other beautiful faces.

I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

Not Me Monday

I did not take my almost 4 year old and 2 year old to the doctor's today. While we were waiting in the examination room/small waiting room, the kids did not have to use the potty. Caitlin went to the potty without incident. I even caught her urine in a cup for testing. Fun times. Davey did not decide he need to go potty too after getting completely naked while I helped Caitlin. Davey did not pee on the floor instead of in the potty. Davey did not scream like he was being hurt when I put his diaper back on. Davey did not escape and run down the hallway happy and naked. I did not wish I had my camera to document this visit.

MckMama is our host at My Charming Kids . Go over there to see what other people are not doing this week too.

Weekly Winners

We have had a great week.

Pretending to be Superman.

Pondering.

Dancing.

Jumping on a new bed.

Eating birthday cupcakes.

Laughing out loud.

Don't forget to go to Sarcastic Mom for more weekly winners.

These are the Days.

It doesn't matter if the house is clean or if there is work to do. When the kids are playing outside, all seems well in the world. They are happy, dancing, and playing with sunshine on their faces. Watching them play is the view I like the best.
The 10,000 Maniacs lyrics seem perfect to summarize how I feel when the kids and I are playing outside.

These are days you’ll remember

Never before and never since, I promise

Will the whole world be warm as this

And as you feel it,

You’ll know it’s true

That you – you are blessed and lucky

It’s true – that you

Are touched by something

That will grow and bloom in you.

The Parents Blogger Network along with Windex's Outdoor All in One Cleaning Tool are sponsoring the What's your Best View blog blast.

Skywatch Friday

Go to Skywatch Friday to see skies from all around the world.

We Heart Art

Three Bay B Chicks, I’m Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor, Domestically Challenged are hosting a week long Art Appreciation Week called “We Heart Art.” Stop by any of there sites to check out some great artwork and maybe win some prizes.

These are my current favorite pieces of art since my kids made them for me for Mother's Day.

The winner is...

The winner of the caption contest is Trish. Her comment was "You'd better not be blogging this mum." I picked it because I view everything as a blogging opportunity and it is probably what he was thinking. There were so many great caption entries. Thanks everyone for participating. Trish I'll send you the fridge magnets when I get your address.

L is for...

L is for a favorite lion toy.

Go to 4 the Love of Family to check out lots of other alphabitty moments. Preserving the everyday moments.

Wardrobe Wednesday

If you are looking for my Wordless post please scroll down to the next post. Be sure to enter my caption contest.
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I used a similar photo for my I Heart Faces post earlier this week. When she dressed herself in this outfit I thought it was perfect for Wardrobe Wednesday. I love that it is warm enough for short sleeves and Caitlin decided she needs to wear her winter hat, scarf, and one mitten. She is a girl who knows her own style. That is for sure. Do you think she likes pink?

Head over to see how all the cool kids are dressing at Heathen Family Revival.

Wordless Wednesday-Caption Contest

I thought this photo would make for a good caption contest. Whoever leaves the best caption for this photo in the comments wins. You will win 2 (4 x 6) magnetic photo pockets. They are great for displaying photos on your fridge without little ones leaving jelly fingerprints on your photos when trying steal themselves chocolate milk. Not that I would know anything about that. Leave your comment by midnight tonight. I'll announce the winner on Thursday.Check out 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Ticked Off Tuesday Update

Remember last Tuesday when I complained about receiving both Vogue and Teen Vogue without ever subscribing to them. After receiving my second issue of Teen Vogue, I decided to stop being such a lazy turd and find their customer service number. The cover stories sent me over the edge. Girl Hot Vs. Guy Hot is the top article. Need I say more?

The customer service number was listed on like the second page of the magazine. So I call the number and explained to the customer service representative that I hadn't order the magazine. She explained that when I made a purchase from an online cosmetic company that they gave me the year subscription as a free gift. I always opt out of these "gifts". I don't remember being told they would send these gifts. But that is besides the point. So she asked why I was not enjoying Teen Vogue. My response was I'm 34 years old. Enough said.

If anything is ticking you off this Tuesday, feel free to vent in the comments or leave a link.

Not Me Monday-The Bed Edition

My son has not been a good climber since before he could walk. I sure was not surprised to see my son climb into his crib. I did not take photos of this event because I did not find it so funny.

He did not fall directly on his head.

He was not completely thrilled by his achievement. He did not climb into and out of his crib multiple times that day.

We did not decided immediately to buy the boy a big boy bed that night. The bed was not set up the next night. Davey did not cry hysterically for an hour at bedtime that night. We did not try to put him back into the crib after trying to calm him down. The next night at bedtime, Davey did not behave as if nothing happened and said, "Night, night. Bye, bye." He did not close his eyes and go directly to sleep without a peep. I was not completely thrilled.

MckMama is our host at My Charming Kids . Go over there to see what other people are not doing this week too.

I Heart Faces-Laughter

This week's theme for I Heart Faces is Laughter. Caitlin was in a great mood yesterday. I love this moment I captured of my silly girl.

Be sure to go to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all the other beautiful faces.

Weekly Winners

The spring flowers are making me happy this week. Here are some of my favorites. Hope everyone has a happy Mother's Day.

Don't forget to go to Sarcastic Mom for more weekly winners.